CO129-209 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [5] — Page 421

10

417"

417

which he fills

so well. My recommendation

is that, on Mr. Marsh's promotion

or retirement, the system formerly in force

shall be reverted to by the issue of a "dormant" Commission as Lieutenant Governor to the Officer Commanding the Troops

3.

It may be strongly argued that I am fully aware of the question: "If there are such strong reasons in favour of the General Commanding the Troops being appointed to be Lieutenant Governor, during any temporary vacancy of the government, how can the appointment of a Civil Governor to Hong Kong be justified?"

In reply to this question, I frankly admit that, in my opinion, it would, on the whole, be better for the interests of the public service that at Hong Kong, as at Gibraltar and Bermuda, the General Commanding the Troops, (I contemplate, of course, a General of the stamp of Lord Napier of Magdala, Sir Andrew Clarke, Sir Robert Biddulph, and Sir William Jervois), should also administer the Civil Government. I will submit some of the more obvious reasons on which this opinion is founded.

(1)